In a thrilling showdown at Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium, Rutgers women's lacrosse team edged out No. 25 Ohio State with a nail-biting 9-8 victory. This win not only marked their first Big Ten Conference triumph of the season but also continued their dominance over the Buckeyes, making it eight straight wins in their all-time series.
The Scarlet Knights were propelled by Ohio native Caroline Ling, who shined in front of a familiar crowd. Ling was unstoppable, racking up five points with three goals and two assists. Her performance was complemented by senior Lily Dixon, who led the game with three assists, and impressive contributions from freshmen Annalise Messina and Kate Theofield, each scoring twice off the bench.
Defensively, Rutgers was a fortress, limiting Ohio State to just 21 shots and forcing 19 turnovers. Rookie Gabby Mariani was a standout, setting career highs with four caused turnovers and three ground balls. Charlee Thomas and Katie Buck were pivotal in securing an 11-8 advantage in draw controls, showcasing the team's depth and tenacity.
The game started with Ohio State quickly netting two goals, but Rutgers responded with poise. Theofield, assisted by Stella D'Ambro, put the Scarlet Knights on the board, and soon after, tied the game with another goal from Dixon's assist. By the end of the first quarter, Rutgers had surged ahead to a 4-2 lead, thanks to goals from Ava Chiarella and Messina.
The second quarter was a defensive battle, with only one goal scored by Rutgers' Hilary Elsner. At halftime, the Scarlet Knights held a 5-2 advantage, largely due to their defensive prowess, which included forcing 13 turnovers and limiting the Buckeyes to six shots on goal. Goalkeeper Stella Quilty was solid, making four crucial saves.
Rutgers continued to assert control in the third quarter, with Ling scoring twice to extend the lead to 7-3. However, Ohio State mounted a comeback, netting four consecutive goals to tie the game at 7-7. Ling, ever the playmaker, restored Rutgers' lead with a goal assisted by D'Ambro.
In the final moments, the Buckeyes managed to tie it up once more, but Thomas' critical draw control set the stage for Rutgers' final possession. With seconds ticking away, Ling threaded a pass to Messina, who delivered the game-winning goal, sealing a memorable victory for the Scarlet Knights.
Next up, Rutgers heads to the West Coast, with a matchup against USC in Los Angeles on March 28. The Scarlet Knights are riding high and looking to build on this momentum as they continue their season.